The Met's annual Costume Institute gala last Monday was truly a night of stars. With Kate Moss and Justin Timberlake as co-chairs, and Madonna, Victoria Beckham and Donatella Versace among the guests, how could it not have been?
Despite the amazing line-up of model stars such as Claudia Schiffer, Cindy Crawford and Gisele, however, some names were conspicuous by their absence. The Model As Muse may have been the theme of the night (and of the accompanying exhibition), but where were the Big Three, namely, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington, the famous triumvirate who symbolised the apotheosis of the supermodel craze in the early '90s?
According to a report on Cathy Horyn's blog, the reason is political, and implicates both Anna Wintour and Marc Jacobs.
Azzedine Alaïa, the fashion designer famous for his clingy clothing and seen as a renegade within the industry, was planning to dress several models, including Linda, Naomi and Stephanie Seymour. However, after realising he was not to be represented in the exhibition, nor invited to the opening party, he did an about-turn. "It would have been silly to have seven girls wearing my dresses at the party and not have anything of mine in the exhibit," he told Horyn.
While Christy sent apologies for her absence due to filming obligations abroad, it is understood others didn't go out of loyalty to the designer they see as a father figure. A spokesperson for Naomi said, "As Naomi has been the muse of Azzedine Alaïa for 23 years, she feels she doesn't want to attend unless she can represent his work."
Co-chair of the event Marc Jacobs was quoted as saying, "Azzedine is a great friend of mine... I'm really sad he's not part of the exhibition." However Horyn's report states it is Anna Wintour, who organises the event, who Alaïa is most disappointed with: "She has too much power over the museum", he said.
Naomi's absence will be seen as a direct snub towards Anna Wintour, who featured her in the current issue of American Vogue.
See which models were at the Met's Costume Institute Gala
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Picture: Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista in their supermodel heyday
